Texas Tech takes 27-24 comeback in Colorado

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) -- Matt Williams' 36-yard field goal with
2:09 left capped Texas Tech's comeback from a 10-point deficit
and gave the Red Raiders a 27-24 win over Colorado on Saturday.

The Red Raiders (4-3, 2-3 Big 12) started the game-winning drive
at midfield after Austin Zouzalik thwarted the Buffaloes' rugby
punt strategy by grabbing the line-drive at his 47.

After Williams' field goal, the Buffaloes (3-4, 0-3) turned the
ball over on downs at their own 22 with 1:44 left when Cody
Hawkins misfired on three throws and completed another for 2
yards.

The Buffaloes got the ball back with 16 seconds left when the
Red Raiders decided not to go for a field goal but Hawkins threw
two more incompletions before completing his final pass, which
was fumbled away.

Hawkins replaced injured starter Tyler Hansen (ribs) late in the
first half and led the Buffaloes to a field goal that gave them
a 10-7 halftime lead. He then hooked up for two scores with
freshman Paul Richardson as the Buffs built a 24-14 lead.

Williams' 40-yard field goal on the first play of the fourth
quarter made it 24-17, and after Aric Goodman was wide right on
a 35-yard attempt for Colorado, the Red Raiders drove 80 yards
in seven plays and tied it on Taylor Potts' 7-yard touchdown
pass to Lyle Leong with 11 minutes left.

The Red Raiders were about to go ahead when Colorado cornerback
Jalil Brown intercepted a fade pass in his end zone that was
intended for Detron Lewis with six minutes remaining.

But the Buffs were forced to punt and that's when their
strategy, which they hoped would result in a bouncing ball down
the field, was thwarted by Zouzalik.

After a slow start, Potts completed 24 of 38 passes for 286
yards and two TDs. Alex Torres caught six passes for 133 yards,
and Lewis had a half dozen receptions that covered 84 yards.

Hawkins finished 22 of 43 for 276 yards and two TDs.

For a while it looked like Hawkins would overshadow Potts. He
hooked up with Richardson for TD passes of 3 and 60 yards as
Richardson became the first freshman in school history to catch
two touchdown throws in a game.

Hansen was having a good game when he got hurt, completing all
but one of his 10 passes and running for the game's first score.
But he was blasted by linebacker Tyrone Sonier just as he
pitched the ball to tailback Rodney Stewart on an option play
late in the first half.

Hansen stayed down for several minutes before being escorted off
the field and into the locker room.

Hawkins came in and completed 6 of 9 passes for 77 yards but the
Buffs' drive stalled at the 3 and Goodman's 23-yard field goal
gave Colorado a 10-7 halftime lead.

Hansen returned to the sideline for the second half but Hawkins
stayed in the game.

In between his two TD throws to Richardson, the Red Raiders
capped a 93-yard drive with Potts' 15-yard frozen rope touchdown
throw to Torres.

In the first half, Hansen's 1-yard keeper put Colorado ahead
7-0, and the Red Raiders, who came in averaging 315 yards
passing, had trouble getting going in Boulder's thin air.

Finally, Potts hit Torres for a 17-yard gain and Eric Stephens
reeled off a 25-yard run after he decked out freshman safety
Terrel Smith at the line of scrimmage. Smith was making his
debut after discarding his redshirt in the face of an injury
epidemic in the Buffs' defensive backfield, where five players
have suffered serious injuries.

Smith made up for his miscue with several key tackles and 1 1/2
sacks.

Colorado was without its best pass rusher as defensive end Josh
Hartigan was out with a sprained ankle, and the Buffs lost
linebacker Jon Major to an apparent leg injury late in the
fourth quarter.